Mastercard® Gold Card™ Review
With this card the 24k-gold plated patented card design is just the icing on the cake. You will also enjoy benefits like 24/7 concierge service and travel credits with a credit card that screams luxury.
Mastercard® Gold Card™
- Rewards
- Flat-rate redemption value of 2% for cash back or 2% value for airfare redemption with no airline or seat restrictions and no blackout dates. Earn one point for every dollar spent. Straightforward redemption without needing a high-maintenance reward strategy. No foreign transaction fees, no earning caps, no rotating categories, and no need to chase down transfer partners to escape very low point values.
- Welcome Bonus
- N/A
- Annual Fee
- $995
Credit Score: Very Good, ExcellentKey Features
- Ideal for those seeking a premium travel card that doubles as an everyday workhorse, paired with elevated service beyond the ordinary. Leave behind the hassle of juggling various cards and monthly statements, while finding peace of mind with protection benefits that exceeds standard credit cards.
- Flat-rate redemption value of 2% for cash back or 2% value for airfare redemption with no airline or seat restrictions and no blackout dates. Earn one point for every dollar spent. Straightforward redemption without needing a high-maintenance reward strategy. No foreign transaction fees, no earning caps, no rotating categories, and no need to chase down transfer partners to escape very low point values.
- Annual Airline Credit--up to $200 in statement credits toward flight-related purchases including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more. Just pay for airline purchases with your Mastercard Gold Card and we will automatically apply the credit to your account. That's it. No need to activate or designate an airline. The credit amount is available in full at the start of the calendar year.
- Up to a $100 application fee credit for the cost of TSA Pre✔® or Global Entry. Also, enjoy automatic enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select with access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with no guest or lounge limits. Includes credits at select airport restaurants for cardholder and one guest.
- 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®--Make requests the way you want by phone, email, SMS and chat in the app. Connect directly with a real agent and receive 24/7 assistance for tasks big and small. Requests do not require a purchase, incur no charge for making them, and do not involve department transfers.
- Exclusive Luxury Card Travel® benefits--average value of $500 per stay (e.g., resort credits, room upgrades, free wifi, breakfast for two and more) at over 3,000 properties. Receive protection benefits like trip cancellation and interruption, auto rental car collision waiver, travel accident and baggage delay. Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
- Made with 24K Gold: Weighing in at an industry-leading 22g. Designed for frequent shoppers, big ticket purchases and everything in between.
- Annual Fee: $995 ($295 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
Editor Analysis:
- Features a luxurious 24K-gold plated patented card design.
- Points can be redeemed for cash back or airfare at a 2% redemption rate.
- Enjoy an annual $200 travel credit for things like airfare, baggage fees, upgrades, and more.
- At annual_fees, the annual fee with this card is very steep, and there's no welcome bonus to help offset this cost.
CardName ESSENTIALS
Mastercard caused quite a stir in the industry when it unveiled its lineup of luxury credit cards. At the top of the group is the CardName.
This card has several features which make it almost certain to garner double-takes from cashiers and waitstaff and is sure to impress your family, friends and co-workers as well. However, only cardholders with certain spending habits will find CardName a worthwhile addition to their wallet.
The appearance and composition of the card is rather unique, as Mastercard takes the term "Gold Card" literally. The card features a patented 24K-gold-plated front with a carbon back.
The other striking feature of the card is the AnnualFees annual fee (plus $295 per additional names on the account).
CardName has a rather pedestrian rewards program that operates on a points basis— earn one point for every $1 spent on all purchases. However, points can be redeemed for cash back or airfare redemptions at a higher rate of 2%.
WHAT OUR EDITORS LIKE MOST ABOUT THE CardName
We definitely like the appearance of the CardName. The unique construction, with a 24 ct. gold-plated front, could be a conversation piece and reap benefits in your social and business life. However, the look of a card alone should never be reason enough to apply for a credit card.
If you like being treated like a VIP, you will probably love the CardName 24/7 concierge service which offers around-the-clock service via phone, live chat, and email. The CardName Luxury Card Concierge can assist you with travel bookings, various personal requests and more. CardName members can also enjoy invitation-only experiences such a court side sporting event tickets, access to dress rehearsal performances, exclusive golf offers, and more.
One of the most attractive perks of the CardName is the annual $200 travel credit. This credit can be used for airfare, baggage fees, upgrades, in-flight beverages or lounge access, and is available in full at the start of the calendar year. Cardholders are also eligible for a $100 Global Entry application fee credit.
Additional benefits include expedited security clearance on domestic flights and membership in Priority Pass Select, which provides complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges regardless of the airline you are flying or class of ticket, travel accident insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and more.
POTENTIAL DOWNSIDES OF THE CardName
When you consider potential downsides to the CardName, we have to start with the annual fee. With no first year fee waiver and no points bonus at signup, it’s estimated you would need to spend just short of $50,000 on the card each year to make the card pay for itself.
The points-based rewards program is straightforward and easy to understand. However, the rewards rate itself is modest. You receive just one point for each dollar spent. They can be redeemed at a rate of 2% airfare or cash back though, which helps to make up for this a bit.
In addition, CardName lacks the introductory bonus or introductory purchase APR you would expect with a card of this type.
HOW THE CardName COMPARES TO OTHER CARDS
CardName vs. CardName
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CardName comes with many of the perks you might be hoping for from CardName and with a significantly lower annual free (AnnualFees compared to AnnualFees).
CardName gives 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. CardName also offers a juicy bonus of 60,000 points if you spend at least $4,000 over the first three months you have the card. That bonus has a value of $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel.
CardName, however, does not have an equivalent perk to the $200 annual travel credit offered by CardName, and it does not offer a reimbursement for Global Entry if you decide to apply.
With the CardName you won’t be looking at a near $1,000 annual fee, however, it’s also not a luxury card, so you’ll be missing out on some generous benefits that certain cardholders might really appreciate from the CardName.
CardName vs. CardName
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Another option in the Mastercard luxury card family, CardName has a lower annual fee (AnnualFees per year) but still lacks the type of rewards program that would instill confidence that the card would pay for itself each year.
CardName members earn one point for every $1 spent and pays out 1.5% per point if you claim cash back or 2% per point if you are looking to redeem for airline travel. Based on those numbers, you would need to be spending around $33,000 per year on the card for it to pay for itself, which is quite a bit less than the CardName.
While CardName offers a $200 annual credit for travel expenses, CardName offers a $100 credit. Both cards offer a $100 Global Entry application fee credit. Terms and conditions apply
CardName vs. CardName
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It’s not often that you can say a AnnualFees annual fee is a noteworthy savings, but that’s the case with CardName when you compare it to the AnnualFees annual fee for the CardName. American Express is a CardRatings advertiser.
Both cards offer an annual credit of $200 for travel, though the AmEx credit is limited to being used for incidental airline fees charged by one pre-selected airline, as well as expedited boarding and security processing. CardName also offers up to $200 in Uber Cash annually, up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. Terms Apply. Enrollment required for select benefits.
Like CardName, CardName has a travel-focused rewards program that you’ll only see earn rewards quickly on an ongoing basis with certain airline and hotel purchases. However, CardName cardholders can earn a substantial 80,000 point welcome offer, which you receive after you spend $8,000 in the first six months you have the card.
Another big difference is that unlike typical credit cards, the CardName allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all.
WHO SHOULD GET THE CardName?
With such a steep annual fee, there are only a limited number of people who can likely afford the CardName. For the card to pay for itself would take a high level of spending each year. So the question you have to ask is if the expense is worth it?
If you are looking for a card with lucrative rewards, you’re better off looking elsewhere. But if you are looking for a card with a sharp appearance and one which could elevate your social status, CardName might just do the trick.
Our Methodology
Survey methodology: CardRatings commissioned Op4G in September 2023 to conduct surveys among 1,869 cardholders nationwide. CardRatings website analytics from Jan. 1, 2023-Aug. 31, 2023 were used to determine a selection of the most popular cards and additional cards were included to add survey breadth. Responses to each of nine questions were given on a scale of 1-10 and respondents’ scores were then averaged under broad topics. To determine the overall score, responses from questions 1-8 were summed and the answer to "How likely are you to recommend this card to a friend, coworker or family member?" was double weighted. Current Scores reflect scores from the most recent survey (2023); “Past Scores” reflect scores from the 2022 survey.
Disclaimer:The information in this article is believed to be accurate as of the date it was written. Please keep in mind that credit card offers change frequently. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this article. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. See the online credit card application for full terms and conditions on offers and rewards. Please verify all terms and conditions of any credit card prior to applying.
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Terms and conditions apply
To see the rates and fees of CardName please visit the following link: See Rates and Fees
